Salem-News.com Veterans articles Page 7

Is VA Involved in `Pay for Play` With FDA & Big Pharma?

Our military heroes are victims of death and addiction.

(MYRTLE BEACH, SC) - In my last article I wrote about the rise in prescriptions of painkillers by the Veterans Administration (VA) providers in the last 12 years -- a whooping 270%.

Think our military heroes have more of a problem than fighting in the battlefields? They do -- and its massive amounts of painkillers being prescribed to them for the treatment of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with opioids -- such as OxyContin.

VA to Suspend Mandatory Overtime for Claims Processors

During the government shutdown in October, the processors could not take overtime, and progress slowed significantly. In fiscal 2013 -- which ended prior to the shutdown -- VA processed 100,000 fewer claims than it expected.

(WASHINGTON, DC) - The Veterans Affairs Department will implement a temporary reprieve from requiring employees to work overtime to reduce the backlog of disability claims, saying it does not want to ask too much of its workforce.

During a meeting with reporters, Secretary Eric Shinseki announced a plan to generally cut back on the amount of overtime employees must take moving forward, saying he can only ask his claims processing units to “go full throttle for so long,” according to the Associated Press.

Agent Orange - Heather Bowser Co-Founder of COVVHA Visits Japan

“Traveling Around the Globe Towards our Future” is the theme of the symposium.

(LANGHORNE, PA) - Heather Bowser, Co Founder of Children of Vietnam Veterans Health Alliance (COVVHA) will Visit Tokyo, Yokohama, and Okinawa Japan educating others about Agent Orange dioxin this month.

Peace Boat is a Japan-based international non-governmental and non-profit organization that works to promote peace, human rights, equal and sustainable development and respect for the environment. Heather Bowser was the Agent Orange guest international educator aboard the 77th Peace Boat voyage from Yokohama, Japan to Da Nang, Vietnam in 2012.

Day 4 - Final Report - 2013 Florida Veterans Medical Cannabis Whistle-stop Tour

Saving the best for last, Veterans have real impact on Florida VA system! The Veterans Tour approaches the home stretch. Impact of tour is far reaching.

(ORLANDO) - Nice hotel, nice shower, very nice breakfast, we must be getting closer to Niceville!

The Veterans tour has chugged through the pan handle of Florida and today would be our final day of visits to VA hospital system facilities.

Veterans Tour - Momentum Really Building on Day Three

Overall a stellar day but the finish to day 4 was a paradigm changer so stay tuned.

(ORLANDO) - We have received such an overwhelmingly positive response. I am writing this report at the end of day 4 because day 3 didn’t offer a spare moment.

Day three started out on Bob’s turf. Bob Jordan has a special role in this national battle for medicinal access as he is a caregiver for the only Florida - legal medical marijuana patient.

Contact your Senator Today and Ask them to Support S.1602

S.1602 is the Toxic Exposure Research and Military Family Support Act of 2013.

(WASHINGTON, DC) - Senator Richard Blumenthal, (CT) has introduced S.1602, the Toxic Exposure Research and Military Family Support of 2013, VVA strongly supports this bill, which reflects positively on one of our foremost legislative goals.

Not only would it help achieve a measure of justice for the innocent victims of the use of toxic substances in times of war, but it offers unlimited possibilities for scientific research into the effects of these toxic chemicals.

World War Two Prisoners of War to be Honored At Redondo Beach Veterans Day Service, 11 November

Keynote speaker is Marine General, Maj Gen. Melvin G. Spiese, USMC, retired.

(REDONDO BEACH) - Redondo Beach will observe Veterans Day 2013 at the Veterans Memorial in beautiful Veterans Park at the beach at 1 PM on Monday, the 11th of November.

The solemn observance will include reflection and remembrance, music, commentary and honors to all those members of the military who served their country. Veterans Day is a time to honor our military veterans.

Soldiers Expose the Underside of Occupation During N. American Tour

Former Israeli combat soldiers are on a North American tour to promote their book of soldier testimonies, "Our Harsh Logic."

(BOSTON Ha'aretz) - In an oak-paneled Harvard Law School hall, two former Israeli combat soldiers turned anti-occupation activists listened as a prominent professor compared their role to those of American soldiers of another era, the “Winter Investigation Soldiers” who spoke out against atrocities they saw or took part in during the Vietnam War.

“That you too were foot soldiers is part of what gives such moral gravity to this project,” said Janet Halley, a Harvard law professor, as she introduced the two young men...

Day 2 - 2013 Florida Veterans Medical Cannabis Whistle-Stop Tour

No rainbows today.. Police encounters instead.

(ORLANDO) - Unlike day 1 we started out today under clear skies. The weather afforded us the ability to take a few group snap shots before heading out to the [bigger] Orlando Veterans Hospital.

The crush of cars in the parking lot at the Orlando VA hospital made us wonder if our truck with the large banner depicting the “We Never Leave a Veteran Behind” tour logo was even noticed as we roved the lot assessing the best access point for our team to enter the facility.

House Passes Gibson Bill to Help Blue Water Navy Vietnam Vets

Congressman Christopher Gibson (R, NY-19)) hopes his legislation, if also approved in the Senate and signed by the President, helps ease the burden somewhat.

(WASHINGTON, DC) - The House of Representatives has passed a bill sponsored by Congressman Christopher Gibson (R, NY-19)) that would move the ability of Vietnam veterans who were assigned to ships off the coast and were afflicted with Agent Orange to receive benefits.

Military personnel who served on the ground and contracted the disease have been covered automatically, but those onboard ships off the coast of Vietnam have been required to list detailed specifics of how they contracted it, making it almost impossible to gain benefits.